The Wellington Arms in Baughurst has the best pub garden ever!

On a beautiful spring day my hubby and I head off to The Wellington Arms in Baughurst. We were expecting some great food, what we also discovered was a pub garden that usually only appear in your best dreams

Us English love a pub garden. It is part of our heritage we relish. A pretty old pub, with great food and drink aaand a beautiful garden, well our English souls sing

Among the flowers, edible herbs and fruit were grown

The tulips were striking with a riot of pink, purple and orange

The promise of more to come

You somehow feel the people behind this garden have a good heart

Their philosophy was clear and we were loving it. To grow your own and eat seasonally is an ideal many of us English aspire to. Sadly, I’m more of a wanna-be gardener so admire this achievement all the more

We do grow rosemary and mint quite well at home – but these delicate purple leaves would get munched on by some bug or even one of our dogs probably!

Tall trees and immaculate flower beds surround the sunny lawn

Look, peeeerfect ahhhhh I can feel my heart rate settling to weekend/holiday mode and its only a thursday

Come on let’s get inside and eat, we’ll look at more later

The bar was great. Full of things you want to peer at. Yummy treacle tarts, eggs for sale, teapots with tea-cosies, vintage cups and saucers next to all the booze. It’s quaint without being at all naff

It’s homely and I want to bring my kids back here

The more you look, the more you find; homemade jams on the shelves

OK I’ve finally sat down and it’s time to focus on the menu.

The staff were friendly and efficient. Several times there was something unavailable, but if the pea supplier didn’t deliver the peas this morning then broccoli would be lovely

Looking around the dining room, I am still loving the character – found on every shelf!

Go on girl, get tucked in!

Our starters turn up smelling yummy. Mine, a cheese souffle, hubby has gone for a carrot soup.

Lovely creamy leeks sit beneath the souffle

My main was a real beauty of a meat fest, celebrating lamb 3 ways. The sauce was amaaazing. I loved this meal, it felt deeply satisfying and healthy at the same time – must be all that green stuff

Hubby had the Proper Cottage Pie, which he is still raving about. The mint sauce was homemade and great, the mushroom jus/gravey divine, the broccolli perfectly cooked (ok breath)

Determined to have pud we check out the pud menu. Hubby is delighted, there are words like sticky, custard and treacle

I opt for a brownie – and how sweet looking is this one? Ahhh you’re so pretty!

The man goes for the treacle tart – standard!

There’s something lovely about things that pour…

A quick coffee as I’m getting ‘itchy feet’ now and want to explore the garden a little more

We get to meet the resident cat. I’m sad I have forgotten her name, but she was super sweet and came, I’m told, with the property. As good as any reason to buy!